You are only as good as your team
Creative Collective UK
At the Creative Collective you will find a diverse group of experienced and passionate talent. Our individual skills come together in one bespoke creative production house. We offer copy, design, digital and print solutions in a unique, humanist and inspiring way. Our aim is to create trust and form strong relationships with our clients.
CEO & Founder Elle
Starting her career in the late 90s, Elle studied at the State University of New York, where her fascination with typography and photography started cultivating her understanding of the emotional power of graphic design. Elle’s early career focused heavily on print and creative direction within the UK’s glossy magazine market, working her way up to Art Director at Cosmopolitan UK. Other titles include Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire and Elle Decoration. In 2011, Elle diversified and started her own design business, venturing into television, branding, marketing, fashion and digital industries. Regular clients included Discovery Channel, the BBC, Channel 4, Formula E, and Hearst UK.
Creative Director John
John is an award winning multi-disciplined Creative Director with over 27 years of experience working in the retail and public sector. For the last 12 years, he has been working at senior and management level, project managing and empowering design teams to deliver creative briefs for a variety of brands. His design roots are embedded in photography, fashion, graphic & signage design, and design in the built environment. He graduated from Middlesex University with a BA Honours in interior Design. His true calling for interior architecture was cemented whilst studying and working in Germany. He has a high level of competency working across different design disciplines, which informs all aspects of his work.
Over the last 2 decades he has worked with a diversity of clients and brands such as Kiss FM, MOBO Awards, Universal Music Group, adidas, lululemon, Vauxhall, Honda, Opel, Mazda,
VW, MG, SEAT, Skoda, Ineos, Blackpool Council, Queen Elizabeth’s Boys School, Croydon Council, Idea Stores, and Abu Dhabi-Department of Culture & Tourism.
Business Operations Emma
Emma is responsible for supporting Elle and John. If you have any questions, please feel free to email her at emma@creativecollectiveuk.com.
Emma has had over 20 years working in Customer Success Management roles within the marketing technology sector; helping customers achieve results, implement business growth strategies & adopt technology. Emma has worked for companies such as Adobe, Microsoft and Yahoo.
Emma has a passion for delivering first class service and working with retail (thortful, Wowcher) and publishing brands (Conde Nast International, News International) across UK and Europe, Since going freelance, Emma has worked across further sectors such as Music and Art working in Business Administration/operations roles.
Lead Key Art Designer Graham
Graham is an award-winning creative retoucher and designer specialising in the concepting and creation of key art. With more than 15 years experience in the field, he has created artwork for BBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, UKTV and Tribeca Film. Graham’s approach is eclectic, drawing on his background in the time-honoured traditions of oil painting and fine art photography as well as a keen interest in developing technologies such as AI image generation.
Senior Creative Retoucher Jo
Jo is an experienced creative retoucher with a strong eye for colour and detail, capable of working on a variety of different subjects. She uses high-end, non-destructive techniques and is experienced in both web and print.
Jo is excellent at compositing, key art creation, colour matching, skin retouching and creative image manipulation, as well as path creation. She has a strong creative imagination and is also able to bring artistic elements to images when desired.
Passionate about creating mind-blowing imagery, Jo has a great interest in photography, digital art, design, photo artwork, music, fine art, literature, cinema, gaming, fitness, history, travel and the creative arts.
Senior Creative Retoucher Steve
With 15 years experience as a creative retoucher, Steve has honed his craft working for many of London's leading advertising agencies and retouching studios. His expertise covers automotive, key art, fashion and beauty, CGI retouching and colour grading.
A true creative retoucher with an art and design background and a great understanding of colour, lighting and composition. Steve approaches the process with clear communication and meticulous attention to detail. He produces subtly perfected and natural looking results, whilst always meeting demanding deadlines and without compromising quality.
Steve enjoys creative pursuits such as painting and photography and is an avid music and film lover. He has a strong interest in graphic design, art and illustration and enjoys regularly attending exhibitions and galleries.
Design Director Clare
Clare won the BSME Award for Art Director of the Year at Stylist magazine, and previously held the position of Design Director at Marie Claire US in New York. Other editorial titles she has worked on include: Vogue, Sunday Times Style, Cosmopolitan and Tatler. A seasoned expert in print design, Clare is now making an impact in the advertising, marketing, branding and the digital world. She has transferred her creative thinking, concept design and general good taste on screen for We Are Social, Facebook, Adidas, Amazon, Coach, Tapestry and numerous luxury brands.
Graphic Designer Nele
Nele is a London-based graphic designer who graduated with a BA in Graphic Design from Ravensbourne University in 2014. She went on to work for Discovery and then The Telegraph before she transitioned into a highly successful freelance career. Over the years Nele has cultivated a versatile skill set and the ability to seamlessly adapt to various client needs and team dynamics. Specialising in branding, information graphics, print, digital, and illustration, she has worked on a wide variety of projects for reputable clients such as Ustwo games, Data Design, Discovery, and Designit. Nele's deep passion for fine arts serves as a constant source of inspiration, propelling her to look for new ways of approaching her work. She maintains an unwavering commitment to innovation, continually seeking fresh perspectives and creative avenues in her design endeavours.
Designer Amy
Amy is a designer with experience building brands in-house. After graduating from the University of Dundee Amy moved to London to work at Formula E, immediately being thrown into the middle of a new brand roll out. Working on projects for events, marketing, hospitality, etc. allowed her to see all parts of the business and get involved in large projects from the beginning.
She then moved to her position as lead designer at Extreme E, a new electric off-road racing series, overseeing all areas of brand and design for this exciting new championship. Working with a small internal team and working closely with partners they delivered an award winning product for the first two seasons in remote locations across the globe.
Senior Designer Vic
An award-winning art director with a flair for typography and graphic design. Vic has a reputation for consistently delivering innovative ideas for a range of national and international brands.
Reliable, professional, and resilient in the face of pressure, her expertise in editorial and infographic design is matched only by her efficiency and proficiency to hit deadlines.
Hybrid Designer Hanna
Hanna is a multidisciplinary designer and art worker who believes designers shouldn’t be restricted to one design discipline. She likes to get involved in all areas of a campaign or brand strategy.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Communication, Hanna was quickly snapped up by the international broadcaster, Discovery Networks. During her time at Discovery, she continued to create show-stopping work for the internal team. A good reputation and numerous strong connections led to Hanna being offered additional work for smaller creative agencies, such as We Mean This, Wonderful & Brilliant and Do & Co. This expanded her brand portfolio and gave her the opportunity to grow her design knowledge even further.
Designer/Illustrator Lydia
Lydia is a full-time graphic designer, illustrator and writer with a history of designing for entrepreneurial start-ups. She was former Head of Design at ToucanBOX, a children’s craft-box subscription. Lydia studied Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University and was headhunted to join the creative team at notonthehighstreet.com.
Lydia’s illustration style is playful, colourful, fun and deliberately naïve, with quirky, humorous ideas and characters that dance across the page. Her work is full of energy and plays to that childlike innocence that is in all of us, regardless of age.
The Ant’s Pants is her first children’s illustrated book – published by Orion, under the Early Readers series, summer 2018.
Lydia brings an inimitable sense of style to everything she does: from makeup artistry and face painting to fashion and hair modelling.
Designer Helen
Helen is an outstanding, adaptable designer with a fresh, inventive and positive approach to visual communication, honed at the London comms agencies where she began her career 13 years ago. Her early career saw her designing publications for the British Heart Foundation and working as a creative artworker at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Before going freelance five years ago, Helen worked in-house at the award-winning internal comms agency, beetroot, where she was Senior Designer on accounts such as Boots, Gatwick Airport, Virgin Trains, DHL and SSP Group.
For the past five years, she has forged a career as a freelance graphic designer, working on a range of projects – from web design to retail graphics – in sectors as varied as charity, beauty and financial trading. As a result, she can quickly tune in to a brand’s identity and deliver designs that really speak to the target audience.
Designer Laura
Laura is a multidisciplinary designer with eight years’ experience working as a graphic designer within the fashion and travel industries.
Having studied Fashion Design at Nottingham Trent University, she went on to work for the fashion label Emma Louise London. After refocusing on graphic design, Laura created point-of-sale assets for British high-street retailers, such as Oasis, Karen Millen and Primark. She has since worked for TUI Group and set up her own freelance business focusing on branding and stationery.
Laura believes that design is a problem-solving tool and she currently specialises in internal communication. She has experience in graphic design, video editing and copywriting.
Designer Rachael
Rachael is a graphic designer who has experience on numerous rebranding projects, guideline designs, signage design projects, marketing material development, exhibitions and print work.
She studied Graphics at Central Saint Martins, part of the University Arts London, and works at an architectural design company in London, and also on a variety of freelance projects.
Clients include Honda Motors, European Region of Gastronomy, Croydon Council, Toyota, Tropicalia, The Royal College of Nursing, The City of London, Ordnance Survey, Idea Stores, Mazda Motors, Blackpool City Council.
Designer Kirsty
Kirsty is an experienced multidisciplinary designer with over 20 years’ experience. Having honed her skills in editorial design for some of the UK’s biggest magazines, she now works for various digital clients, including ITV and The Trainline.
With her great storytelling skills, Kirsty can create a full 360 experience – whether that’s for a print publication, short edits for social media or storyboarding a full campaign. She loves nothing more than creating exciting and vibrant motion design for social that surprise audiences and capture their attention.
Senior Designer Martin
Martin is a multi-disciplinary Designer and Creative specialising in Key Art concepts and execution for streaming content. His broadcast clients include the BBC, BritBox, Channel 4 and ITVX.
Since graduating in Graphic Design Martin has worked as a silk screen printer for Peter Blake, worked on a feature-length animated film produced by Steven Spielberg and released an album on Skint Records.
In 2015 Martin joined the BBC for the launch of streaming platform BBC Store before joining the digital team to produce key art for Netflix, Amazon and Roku.
Joining startup BritBox in 2019 led to Art Directing campaigns for original shows
leading to a Promax nomination for a promo for documentary Secrets Of The Spies.
Most recently, Martin has been Senior Designer in Imagery for the launch of ITVX.
The qualities he looks for in any piece of work are wit and economy. A strong, simple idea, crisply executed is what motivates him and this is communicated through the quality of his work.
Designer Natasha
Natasha is a graphic designer who has worked for multiple companies in London, Australia and New Zealand for the last 12 years including brands such as Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, ANZ, various fashion brands and international advertising agencies such as TBWA and Leo Burnett.
She likes to work on a diverse range of projects including branding, print, digital design for website and social, as well as retouching. Having freelanced right from the beginning of her career starting out at Discovery Networks in London, she is used to fast-paced environments, managing multiple projects and meeting client deadlines. Her warm presence and clear communication means she forms great relationships with all those she works with.
Natasha balances her design career with her passion for health & wellness, teaching yoga and holistic workshops, sharing tools to help people perform and feel their best. Her practice in this area allows her to manage her time effectively, meet the demands of tight deadlines and produce the best work possible.
2D and 3D Motion Designer Fedele
Fedele is a highly talented, award winning motion graphic designer with over 20 years of experience as a senior creative at BBC News. He has a background in branding and photography, and understands the importance and impact of bringing an idea to life through design.
Working across all aspects of channel branding, broadcast, social media and continuity from initial design to final delivery.
Clients include BBC, Sky, UBS, Amazon, and Smirnoff.
Motion Designer Monika
Since she can remember Monika was always interested in visual storytelling. Starting with drawing on the walls and tables, then moving on to more sophisticated paper, finally diving into the broad field of digital art. Starting with digital static illustrations and graphic design layouts, she combined these two together and learned how to bring them to life with 2d and 3d software. She blended her genuine lifelong passion for art and design and become Motion Graphics Artist.
She has proficient knowledge of Adobe After Effects (2d animation), Illustrator and Photoshop, which she uses for assets creation (Illustrator), textures and organic illustrations (Photoshop). Additionally, in her workflow she uses Adobe Premier Pro for editing and InDesign for layouts or presentations. Apart from Adobe CC, Monika is a big fun of Procreate on iPad and Cinema 4D for 3D illustration and animation.
In her career Monika worked on projects for clients such as: BBC 3, CBBC, Cartoonito, Cartoon Network, World Health Organization Africa, SKY1, WTV
Multimedia Designer Zahra
Zahra is an experienced designer with print and digital experience in both editorial and commercial settings. She has worked across a range of fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, her clients include Harrods, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Red, Women’s Health, Esquire, Treatwell, Superdrug and The Perfume Shop.
She is a hard working, enthusiastic and creative individual who is confident in using editing software programs such as Photoshop, lndesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Illustrator.
Animator/Motion Designer Tom. L
Tom is an animation director, lead animator and illustrator working across 2D and 3D. He loves to find imaginative simple solutions to complex ideas using clean clear design and smooth enjoyable motion with a playful tone.Tom has worked with brands such as Discovery, F1, Nike and Playstation to name a few.
Motion Designer Dee Cee
Here at the Creative Collective we are proud to introduce Dee Cee. He is an extremely talented and motivated motion graphic designer with 20 years experience in UK and International broadcast design. Working across all aspects of channel branding, broadcast, social and continuity from initial design to final delivery. Clients include MTV and Nickelodeon through to Discovery, Animal Planet and UKTV. Dee Cee is dedicated, diligent and a gem to work with.
Animator/Motion Designer Alice
Alice is a talented animator seeking to positively impact society through emotive storytelling and imaginative design. Promax awarded Alice Best Design Newcomer Of The Year in 2018. She has since worked for many big brands creating on screen graphics for film and TV promos. Clients include NBCUniversal, BBC and Discovery Channel.
Creative Director Meriem
Meriem prides herself on her talent for generating ideas, her vision and her ability to communicate with passion and clarity. She operates with commitment and authenticity, bringing a special kind of enthusiasm and professionalism to her projects. She has built a strong reputation in the industry, based on her creativity, results and people skills.
As an experienced Commercials Director Meriem has a strong visual eye and an intrinsic understanding and respect for storytelling. She works with high-profile talent in sports and beauty.
Meriem’s success as a Creative Director is a tribute to her prolific ideation skills and her inspiring leadership. She has led award-winning teams in short-form broadcast, 360 campaigns, copy-writing, social content, branding and channel rebrands.
Vision and collaboration are her game. With an eagle eye for style and communication, she walks the talk and gets things done, whilst smiling.
Meriem’s work is regularly featured in the press and has won industry awards. Recently, her regular clients include BBC Studios EMEA, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Estée Lauder and The Guardian.
Business Consultant Lea
Lea is a business consultant and digital marketer with a decade of experience, having worked with Ralph Lauren, Condé Nast, and the Aeffe Group. While at university, she founded her marketing agency, Eliei, and quickly scaled it to serve a global clientele. Her portfolio spans multiple industries, showcasing expertise in digital marketing and corporate partnerships. But what truly sets her apart is her affinity for startups. She navigated the thrilling pace of this world firsthand, having successfully built and scaled a tech company, UnderPinned, from zero to £12mil in valuation. Her unique blend of corporate experience and entrepreneurial flair makes her an invaluable asset, helping businesses not just grow but truly thrive.
Creative Director Christine
Christine is an award-winning multidisciplinary designer with more than 20 years’ experience. The combination of her training as an illustrator, her passion for craft and her experience as the Creative Director of Marie Claire UK and the luxury fashion biannual, Marie Claire Runway, gives her a unique voice and visual language.
Christine has hand-embroidered covers for Stylist magazine, hand-cut more than 100 tiny paper dolls for mini fashion shoots and once decorated the windows of Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road with rainbow confetti. She always takes a 360 holistic view of a project, and is able to take the kernel of an idea and create a whole world across all platforms.
Christine’s past clients include John Lewis, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Tatler and Boots. Recently she has transferred her skills into the charity sector, working with #Togetherband on social campaigns aiming to amplify the message of the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
Copy Writer Amanda
Amanda is an award-winning copywriter with over 25 years' experience. After graduating from Watford College she began her career as an advertising creative working on big-name brands including Budweiser, Waitrose and Volkswagen. She then moved to the BBC where she helped launch BBC Three, BBC Four and Dave. She has since freelanced for broadcasters and ad agencies creating campaigns for BBC Worldwide, Sky, Discovery, BBH, McCann and M&C Saatchi.
She has won awards for print, TV, radio and 360 campaigns from D&AD, British Arrows and Promax.
When not copywriting she can be found scouring boot sales and flea markets, looking for lost works of art and other treasures.
Writer/Storyteller Emily
Emily is a writer with a passion for people and a keen interest in health and wellness. She has spent the last 5 years building communities of like minded people, working as Head of Community and Magazine Deputy Editor for the UnderPinned Platform for Freelancers and Head of Community, Content & Events for Health and Fitness App Magic Mountain, as well as starting her own Arts and Culture Magazine GOBBLEDYGOOK. Connecting people through stories, newsletters, websites, social channels and blogs, She is experienced in long and short form copy that educates, entertains and ignites action in the reader.
Copywriter Katherine
Katherine’s career has taken her to London, Dubai and Denver, USA – where she was, respectively, the senior sub-editor at Cosmopolitan, chief sub-editor and features writer at VIVA, and chief copywriter at jewellery company Shane Co. She’s now back home in Poole, freelancing.
As well as copywriting, writing features for well-known publications and websites, sub-editing and proofreading, Katherine also writes non-fiction books. She has had a dozen published, on topics ranging from travel to fitness, cocktails to outer space.
She is just as comfortable working with large brands like BT, Premier League and Dogs Trust as she is with smaller companies, such as Harbour Escapes, The Corporate Housing Partnership and BagButler. Katherine eats, sleeps and breathes the English language; she’s the ultimate word nerd/grammar geek.
Communications Specialist Megan
Megan is a digital communications specialist with a wealth of experience working in social media and communications management for world-renowned creative institutions, independent lifestyle product and service-based businesses, and leading luxury fashion brands. With a keen visual eye, great copywriting skills and a strategic outlook. She’s worked on projects with Kering, Conde Nast, London College of Fashion, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, and Bethany Williams amongst others.
From multichannel social media strategy, campaigns and implementation to SEO led website content development and management. She holds a varied skillset and vast experience predominately working with a 360 approach to marketing communications across email, web and social marketing. Megan also is a lecturer at UAL, in social media, email marketing, and digital marketing strategy.
Media Consultant Tammi
Throughout her career Tammi has worked for BBC Drama, Children’s and Entertainment, as well as producing documentaries for BBC Two and Channel 4. Over the past 15 years, she has worked extensively in domestic and international news, including the BBC News Channel, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC News World. Passionate about creating content for underserved audiences, she ran the high-profile social media campaigns NHS Winter and 100 Women, which engaged audiences the organisation struggled to connect with. In the past few years, her focus has been on creating multi-platform content, which has rolled out across television, social-media platforms, podcasts and more. She has covered subjects as diverse as the effect of acts of kindness in mental health, through to young grime artists breaking through in Blackpool.
Illustrator Chantelle
A creative all-rounder, Chantelle has sought to develop varied expertise in copywriting, illustration, and picture editing. Having graduated from Bournemouth University with 1st Class Honours in English and Media Communications, she has a unique understanding of how great design and elegant copy feed into and elevate each other.
Alongside working for the likes of Discovery Channel and MYER, Chantelle collaborates with smaller, family-run businesses and start-ups, such as The Wellbeing Warehouse and Wiseup Networks. She utilises her writing skills to craft engaging copy for blogs, ads, websites, social posts, and product descriptions, applying her artistic skillset to key art, title treatments, image re-touching, and thought-provoking illustrations.
Chantelle is driven by the way in which the creative industries can tap into fundamental issues, create change, and spark real human connection. Her passion lies in producing art that speaks volumes, and words that paint pictures.
Stylist & Art Director Caroline
Caroline Baxter is an award winning Stylist and Art Director with thirty years’ experience working in the world of fashion publishing, media. Starting her career as assistant to Edward Enninful at ID-magazine, she worked at The Guardian and Elle magazine before holding numerous senior fashion roles across publications such as Woman and Home, New Woman, Essentials, Cosmopolitan and more recently co-founded ‘Visual Arts Studio’ based at Big Sky Studios in London. During this time, she has been an Art Director, Stylist, Editor, Producer and Creative Influencer on hundreds of fashion shoots working across editorial and commercial fashion brands.
In 2017 Caroline won the prestigious ‘British Society of Magazine Editors’ award for Stylist of the year for her visual work.
Photographer Dan
Dan is a multidisciplinary photographer. Simplicity, clarity and timelessness are the core values that resonate deeply within his photography and work.
Dan’s wide-ranging experience, attention to detail and knowledge of effective photographic techniques allow him to plan and execute a shoot from concept to post-production. Dan is personally invested in every detail and achieves consistency across all stages of the process. His friendly and professional nature enables collaborative working. Dan is a leading residential, industrial, artistic photographer. Capturing the essence of a brief and creating a story around it.
Photographer Abul
Award winning photographer who’s passion and love of his art is echoed in his work. He is known for his natural lighting and being able to capture genuine and authentic moments. He has an informed understanding of light, colour, depth of field and composition. Creating those timeless shots of aspiration, intimacy and celebration.
His worked for many well known brands such as Nikon, Esquire, Harpers Bazaar, Conde Nast Country Living, Sky TV, 1941, Style Me Pretty, Brides, and many more.
PR Consultant Caroline Watt
A highly experienced senior PR consultant with extensive consumer & corporate communications experience both in-house and agency side Caroline is a creative, versatile and results-focused media expert used to working across high profile, multi-faceted campaigns and events delivering standout results with high profile, targeted press coverage.
Previous clients / companies include: Discovery Channel, UKTV, Amazon Prime Video, Freuds PR, M&C Saatchi
